The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee issued a subpoena on Wednesday to the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) for all unedited video footage in their possession relating to the acquisition, preparation, and sale of fetal tissue. CMP is prevented from releasing footage due to a lawsuit filed by the National Abortion Federation to keep the videos out of the public domain.
In light of disturbing videos that emerged in July detailing fetal tissue procurement among Planned Parenthood facilities and affiliates, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee launched an investigation into the use of federal funds surrounding the potentially unlawful transactions involving fetal tissue.
In the videos, Planned Parenthood representatives discuss the demand for certain body parts, the manner in which patient consent is solicited, pricing considerations, and the methods by which doctors manipulate procedures to ensure that tissue and organs of fetuses remain intact.
In one video, a Planned Parenthood official discusses how doctors modify procedures to preserve intact fetal specimens that can be provided to research firms in exchange for money. The Planned Parenthood official also discusses how reimbursement amounts can be manipulated.
On August 14, the Committee sent letters to Ms. Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Burwell to better understand the role of federal funding in Planned Parenthood operations.
In that HHS provides a significant portion of the federal funds that Planned Parenthood receives, the Committee seeks to understand the Department’s oversight of these funds including what restrictions or regulations apply to the use of funding provided by HHS to Planned Parenthood or its affiliates.
Additionally, the Committee is interested in understanding what medical services are provided by Planned Parenthood that are not provided by a state’s Medicaid program or by a plan provided under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
On September 9, Chairman Jason Chaffetz and Health Care, Benefits and Administrative Rules Subcommittee Chairman Jim Jordan sent letters to StemExpress and the Center for Medical Progress (CMP). The Committee is requesting all unedited video footage from CMP relating to the acquisition, preparation, and sale of fetal tissue. StemExpress has been identified as a company that procured fetal tissue from one or more Planned Parenthood centers. The Committee seeks documents and materials to more fully understand the process by which StemExpress obtained fetal tissue from Planned Parenthood.
Chairman Jason Chaffetz said in a statment released this week, “Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion Federation want to hide their activities from the American people. This subpoena is a demand for transparency. The action of the court will not thwart or impede Congress’ Constitutional duty and right to conduct effective oversight. The Committee will continue its investigation into funding for Planned Parenthood and will hold a hearing on federal funding for the organization later this month.”